AERIAL PROTEST: CITY VICTORY MARRED
BACKLASH: Manchester City hit cruise control to keep up the pressure on Premier League title rivals Liverpool by thrashing Burnley 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium last night, Phil Foden, pictured above, scoring two of the hosts’ goals. But the night was marred after a small plane trailing the words ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ flew over the pitch shortly after kick-off, in an act later described by Fare – the European equality body – as part of a wider “racist backlash”.
BURNLEY LAST night forcefully condemned a ‘White Lives Matter’ stunt carried out during the team’s defeat at Manchester City, describing the fly-past of a banner bearing the slogan as “offensive” and at odds with the club’s values.
A small plane trailing the words ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ flew over the pitch shortly after kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, in an act later described by Fare – the European equality body – as part of a wider “racist backlash”.
Players from both teams were wearing ‘Black Lives Matter’ on the back of their shirts, as has been customary since the Premier League returned amid anti-racism protests in the wake of George Floyd’s killing in the United States, and all 22 had taken the knee moments before the fly-past.
In a statement Burnley said: “Burnley Football Club strongly condemns the actions of those responsible for the aircraft and offensive banner that flew over the Etihad Stadium on Monday evening,” it read.
“We wish to make it clear that those responsible are not welcome at Turf Moor.”
On the field, Phil Foden gave second-placed City the lead midway through the first half when a corner was worked out to the 20-year-old on the edge of the box and he fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
City winger Riyad Mahrez then netted a quickfire brace, the second a penalty – awarded by VAR for Ben Mee’s foul on Sergio Aguero which forced the Argentine out of the game – as City went into half-time 3-0 up.
Aguero was replaced by Gabriel Jesus as City continued to impress, with David Silva adding a fourth after Foden played in Bernardo Silva, who squared for the Spaniard to tap home, with Foden adding a fifth.